Now Commenting On:

Melvin knows scuffling Bailey will 'persevere'

Melvin knows scuffling Bailey will 'persevere'

Email

Print

Andrew Bailey

By
/
|

NEW YORK -- Tuesday's ninth-inning dramatics in New York weren't the first signs of recent struggles for Andrew Bailey.

The A's closer, who allowed two runs -- one earned -- before securing a 6-5 Oakland victory, entered Wednesday having allowed at least one run in four of his last six outings -- a 6.00 ERA -- after surrendering just one in his previous 10 (0.96 ERA).

Still, Bailey has managed to convert each of his nine save opportunities since the All-Star break to continue a trend that has seen him go 32-for-32 in such situations in his career after the break.

"I think that every closer goes through a point in time in the season where they're not perfect, and I think it's glaring because he is so good," manager Bob Melvin said. "There are times in the season where your arm doesn't feel as good, but the fact of the matter is, to this point, he hasn't blown a save.

"If that's his struggles, we'll certainly take it. I know he doesn't feel great about the way he's been throwing, but you make adjustments over the course of the season, and it's how you persevere and how you eventually end up getting them done, and he's getting the job done."

Despite throwing 31 pitches on Tuesday, Bailey was expected to be available for Wednesday's contest against the Yankees.